Surveillance on UK council websites [pdf] (brave.com)

Article summary

A report by Brave uncovers widespread surveillance of UK citizens on UK council websites. The report finds that many council websites use trackers, including Google Analytics, which can package and commoditize user data. The use of these trackers on public services raises concerns about privacy and data protection. The report suggests that citizens are entitled to expect that public services do not allow private companies to surveil them on their websites.

Main themes

• surveillance on council websites
• privacy and data protection
• use of trackers
• cookie consent
• GDPR regulations
• public services and privacy expectations

What commenters say

• The use of trackers on council websites is a violation of citizens' right to privacy and data protection.
• Some trackers, such as Google Analytics, are necessary for website functionality and do not pose a significant privacy risk.
• The context of tracking on public services is what makes it problematic, not the tracking itself.
• The use of trackers like Hotjar, which tracks mouse movements and clicks, is particularly concerning.
• Disabling tracking scripts can prevent the collection of user data, but many websites do not provide clear options for doing so.
• Authorities have failed to enforce regulations on cookie consent, allowing websites to set tracking cookies without user consent.
• The distinction between essential and non-essential cookies is important, as essential cookies do not require consent under GDPR regulations.